Old look Sri Lanka for Black Caps

New Zealand will face an old look Sri Lanka in their opening Cricket World Cup match after several old hands were recalled by the 1996 champions.

Sri Lanka axed former captains Dinesh Chandimal and Upul Tharanga for the June tournament, opting to select all-rounders instead.

All-rounders Milinda Siriwardana and Jeevan Mendis were named in the 15-man squad for the United Kingdom tournament.

Chandimal was one-day captain as late as October 2018, while Tharanga captained Sri Lanka in 2017.

Opener Danushka Gunathilaka was also dropped with Lahiru Thirimanne recalled after last playing one-dayers in 2017.

Jeffrey Vandersay was the only specialist slow bowler picked, while opener Avishka Fernando, 21, stayed as wicketkeeperbatsman Niroshan Dickwella was dropped.

Dimuth Karunaratne will lead the side, even though he has not played an ODI since the 2015 tournament, in New Zealand and Australia.

Also back is Jeevan Mendis, who also last played in the 2015 World Cup.

Pace bowler Lasith Malinga, and talented former captain Angelo Mathews were both selected.

Sri Lanka open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand on June 1.

Meanwhile, Pakistan dropped out-of-form fast bowler Mohammad Amir and included 18-year-old paceman Mohammad Hasnain in their 15-member World Cup squad.

Amir’s exclusion came after the left-armer took only five wickets in 14 ODIs since Pakistan won the Champions Trophy in 2017.

‘‘Amir is the most experienced bowler but his performance was not good enough since the Champions Trophy,’’ chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said. ‘‘Hasnain will be a surprise package as he bowls at a speed of 150 (kmh) and could win a match for Pakistan on his own. With such an express pace he could put a dent on any team.’’

Hasnain made his ODI debut against Australia in the United Arab Emirates last month, and took two wickets in three matches.